Astro Bot (Journeyman)
Role:
Creative Lead and Level Designer.
Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Game Type:
Third Person, 3D Platformer, Puzzles
Inspired By
University Group Project
Project Overview
- This project is a university group project, tailored around astrobot, with the requirements to put a unique spin on our vertical slice of the game.
- The theme is a medieval factory with the futuristic elements of the Astro Bot scattered throughout the level (e.g. A gravity gun and futuristic enemies themed as medieval equipment)
- My role within this project is as creative lead, with the responsibilities of organising the production, managing other team members and keeping the project to time-gated sprints. Alongside this I am also the lead level designer for the game.
Iterating/Improvements over time
- With feedback and playtesting, and working with the art and programming teams, the initial designs that were created have improved over time.
- The below sections show progress of room designs, at roughly 3 equal points throughout the project.
Crucible Room, Iteration 1
Crucible Room, Iteration 2
Crucible Room, Iteration 3
- In this room we knew we wanted to implement our first main mechanic while keeping the platforming aspect of Astro Bot. I decided to make a crucible room; This room uses leading lines, collectibles and a weenie to guide the player down the room until they trigger an event, trapping the player and forcing them to use the head detachment mechanic to free their body and continue the level.
Anvil Room, Iteration 1
Anvil Room, Iteration 2
Anvil Room, Iteration 3
- In the Anvil room my goal was to introduce a room specific hazard which was the group's crushing anvil. This hazard requires the player to time a run under it, or to use a non-crushable object to stun the anvil before proceeding. To add more challenge, from the half-way point, the player has to use a previous mechanic, relying on invisible platforms, that appear only when the player is close (while the player is holding a lamp).
Cog Room, Iteration 1
Cog Room, Iteration 2
Cog Room, Iteration 3
- This room has been designed around a gravity gun, which can pick up items (such as cogs) and a cog placement puzzle, which when a cog has been placed into the correct location, starts a cog turning and activates a number of moving platforms. This puzzle requires players to time jumping between moving platforms, while moving cogs from previous sections forward, to activate the next set of moving platforms.
- One challenge with designing this room was how to get the player here, as the room was located away from where the player had completed the previous puzzle, and I didn't want the player backtracking. In the end, I created a mine tunnel, in which the player would jump between moving carts, while avoiding hitting dangerous scenery. (Unfortunately, this mini-game was cut for time reasons, however, a shortened version of this tunnel, without the jumping mechanic, remains).
An example of a platforming section, with enemies to dodge
Level Design
- The level follows a linear design, which implements platforming, puzzle-solving and melee combat.
- The level is split into 5 distinct sections, themed around a factory courtyard, forge, gear/mechanical room, storage and anvils.
- Each room gives the player a new type of challenge, themed to the room: for example, molten metal as an environmental hazard in the forge, timing jumps/getting crushed by the anvils in the anvil room, and enemy combat/evasion in the more open courtyard and storage rooms.
This is one of the rooms where the player will have to find three cogs and place them in the correct spot in order for the door to be opened and continue to the next area.
Puzzle Design
- Each section of the level offers a unique challenge to the player, introducing new mechanics, while iterating on these mechanics in further sections.
- Each puzzle is revolving around 1 main mechanic that is introduced at the start of each section, along with puzzle rooms that implement 1 or more of the mechanics to solve the puzzle, after the player has had a chance to learn them.
- One example of a mechanic implemented that needs to work in combination with good level design, is the head separation mechanic, where the player can control their head and body separately. This opens up the potential to have areas that only one part or the other can access.
- Mechanics have been designed to work together to create more unique puzzles, for example, the gravity gun can be used to hold objects in place over gaps, while the player separates their head and jumps along the player-created platforms.
Learning outcomes
I learnt how to lead a team of multiple disciplines while keeping the project on track.
Throughout the project I gained experience designing and iterating on the level using feedback and playtesting results to refine the flow of the overall game.
Working with other disciplines taught me a deeper understanding of what each role with the game design pipeline does and from this is made my communication skills with those departments stronger.